21 



strictly migratory species to appear in spring. It begins to sing soon 

 after its arrival. Its notes are full and rich; and, Avhen singing, it is 

 apt to be perched on a tree-top, although it frequently sings in a 

 brush-heap. Its ordinary note is a low tweet, sometimes modulated 

 so as to resemble the Cedar-bird's note; and it also gives a sharp, 

 metallic utterance like the Brown Thrasher's {Harporhynchus rufus). 

 Its flight is accompanied by a loud whirring sound. 



Dimensions. — Average measurements of twenty-three specimens : 

 length, 7-2G; stretch, ll-l-t: wing, 3 39 ; tail, 2-85; culmen, -50; gape, 

 •57; tarsus, -QG ; middle toe, '64; its claw, -SI. 



90. Zamelodia ludoviciana {Linne). Rose-breasted Gros- 

 beak. A summer resident; breeds. Most abundant during its mi- 

 grations. Arrives early in May (13, 1873; 9, 1874; 13, 1875; 11, 

 1876; 16, 1877; 9, 1878; 10, 1879; 4, 1880), and stays through Sep- 

 tember (21, 1874). 



This lovely bird is found in the open woods ; but it also resorts to 

 fields and orchards in the springtime. Its black-and-white colors 

 remind one strongly of the Bobolink; but, besides, its folded wing 

 conceals the rose- colored lining in the male, and yellow in his plainer- 

 clad mate ; and, — most conspicuous, — a patch of brightest carmine 

 adorns the breast of the male. The Rose-breasted Grosbeak destroys 

 the fruit-blossoms in the orchards, being especially fond of those of 

 the cherry; and I suppose that it really does some damage to the 

 crops: this, to my mind, however, it more than compensates for, by 

 adding so much brightness and melody to the happiest of seasons. 

 But it has another bad habit : where fields, newly sown with the cer- 

 eal grains, are convenient to its woodland retreats— for it is a shy 

 bird — its species will collect in large flocks, and resort there contin- 

 ually, as long as there is a grain of seed to be had. 



Dimensions. — Average measurements of sixteen specimens : — length, 

 8-12; stretch, 12-92; wing, 4-02; tail, 2-99; culmen, -69 ; gape, -76; 

 tarsus, -88 ; middle toe, -64 ; its claw, '27 ; middle toe and its claw, -83. 



91. Passerina cyanea {Linne). Indigo Bird. A common 

 summer resident ; breeds abundantly. Arrives early in May (10, 1872 ; 

 13, 1873; 12, 1874; 12, 1875; 20, 1876; 14, 1877; 4, 1878; 15, 1879; 7, 

 1880), and departs in September (20, 1876; 19, 1879). 



These pretty birds are common in neglected flelds, and in the edge 

 of the woods. I have known them to dwell, and rear their young, in 

 the densest swamps of the Avilderness, but this is quite exceptional, 

 and they are rarely seen away from civilized parts. Their nests are 

 built in bushes — commonly in blackberries growing along fences, or 

 even in gardens of cultivated raspberries. Their song is very clear 

 and fine. They pillage the grain-fields in company with the Purple 

 Finch and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. In autumn, associated in im- 



